Job description
Join Walter Mart as a Category Buyer and become a key driver of growth for our retail business in Quezon City, Metro Manila. In this role you will lead the category buying strategy, content, and supplier partnerships that shape our assortment, pricing, and promotions. You will work closely with Merchandising, Store Operations, and Marketing to deliver compelling value to customers while ensuring sustainable margin performance.
As a Category Buyer, you will own the end-to-end category plan from supplier selection to product lifecycle management. Your responsibilities include analyzing sales data and market trends, identifying growth opportunities, and translating insights into actionable buying decisions. You will negotiate favorable terms with suppliers, manage lead times, and secure promotional support that drives traffic and sales. You will monitor supplier performance, conduct quarterly reviews, and implement cost-saving initiatives without compromising quality or service levels. This role is ideal for a proactive professional who thrives in a fast-paced retail environment and embraces data-driven decision making.
What you will do on a day-to-day basis includes developing assortment strategies, optimizing inventory, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to execute promotions, planograms, and seasonal campaigns. You will ensure compliance with procurement policies, ethical sourcing standards, and internal controls. If you are energized by turning market insights into growth and you want to contribute to a winning team at Walter Mart, we want to hear from you.
We offer a dynamic work environment, opportunities for career advancement, and competitive compensation. Walter Mart provides comprehensive benefits and a culture that rewards initiative and performance.
Responsibility
- Develop and implement a data-driven category buying plan aligned with sales targets and margin objectives.
- Source, evaluate, and manage key supplier relationships; negotiate pricing, terms, lead times, and promotional commitments.
- Analyze sales, inventory, and market data to optimize assortment, forecast demand, and plan inventory levels.
- Collaborate with Merchandising, Marketing, and Store Operations to plan promotions, pricing, and in-store planograms.
- Monitor supplier performance, conduct quarterly business reviews, and implement cost-saving initiatives and supplier development programs.
- Ensure compliance with procurement policies, ethical sourcing, and internal controls; manage risk and quality standards.
- Lead new product introductions and lifecycle management, including SKU rationalization and phaseouts.
Qualification
- Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, economics, marketing, or a related field.
- 2+ years of experience in category management or procurement in retail preferred.
- Strong negotiation, vendor management, and relationship-building skills.
- Proficiency in data analysis, demand forecasting, and ERP systems (SAP, Oracle) and advanced Excel.
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.
- Deep understanding of retail math, margins, pricing, and category lifecycle management.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing priorities; willingness to travel if required.